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This is the only country that has ever adopted a white flag as its national flag.
This is the only country that has ever adopted a white flag as its national flag.
In war, the white flag has long been a symbol of surrender. However, France is the only country in history to have used a plain white flag as its national flag for 16 years, and of course, this white flag does not symbolize surrender as we often think.
The white flag is understood to mean surrender in war. Photo: Internet
Let's look back at the history of the French flag to understand the meaning of this country's white flag.
The tricolor flag with 3 colors red, white, blue first appeared during the French Revolution (1789 - 1799). In which, red and blue are the traditional colors of Paris, and the white in the middle is the color symbolizing the Bourbon royal family - the royal lineage that ruled France since the end of the 16th century. These 3 colors carry the message that the king is among the people, the people stand side by side with the king.
In 1792, the Bourbon dynasty collapsed and the monarchy was completely abolished in France.
In 1814, after the defeat of Napoleon, the Bourbon dynasty was restored in France, and King Louis XVIII ascended the throne. In order to reaffirm the lost status of the Bourbon royal family, the country changed its national flag to a plain white color.
By the Second French Revolution in 1830, the country had abandoned the white flag and used the blue, white, and red flag to this day.
The current blue, white, and red national flag of France. Photo: Internet
Thus, France is the only country that uses the white flag as its main national flag with the purpose of affirming the re-emergence of a dynasty.